Learn why you should test concrete for moisture before applying paint or epoxy to your garage floor. We'll show you how to do it with these simple tests. Conceived as a more cosmetic solution for garage floors in need of renovation, the floor protection benefits of concrete pavers are quite modest. This is partly because its application layer is usually quite thin compared to an epoxy or polyaspartic coating.
If you are a professional contractor who specializes in installing epoxy, polyurethane, or polyurea-polyaspartic floor coverings, then you know the importance of preparing concrete. For a coat of primer to “stick” properly, the concrete must be clean and rough. That is, it must have a concrete surface profile or CSP. Smooth concrete is not a receptive substrate.
In other cases, the installer simply does not master the techniques needed to properly install a quality coating. Concrete preparation, crack repair, product selection, window refinishing and application technique can take years to master. Add to that the need for commercial-grade equipment, such as grinders, floor machines and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters. To get quality flooring, seek professional help.
Real knowledge and experience in concrete preparation, crack repair, product selection and application technique are too important to be forgotten. Using inexperienced “contractors” to sell one-day installations or epoxy kits to save money is a costly mistake. Most of the time, poor quality floors and expensive remodeling are the result. Most are made of high-quality epoxy that repels water, oil and other materials, and resists contaminants that corrode the garage floor and eventually cause it to decay.
However, sealants don't work at the same level as polyaspartic and epoxy floor coatings when it comes to protecting a floor. Advance Industrial Coatings is proud to use only the highest quality industrial grade coating products. We have more than two decades of experience installing epoxy coatings for epoxy floors for residential and commercial applications. Sweating occurs when relatively warm, humid air contacts a relatively cooler surface (the garage floor slab) with a temperature lower than the dew point.
However, if you're looking to hire a company to perform a floor covering installation, most will be able to do the testing for you. For floor coverings with an aggressive anti-slip aggregate, such as aluminum oxide, a soft-bristled broom is the best option. If your moisture test has determined that you have a moisture flow of 6 pounds per 1000 square feet every 24 hours, then it far exceeds what is acceptable for a typical floor covering. If there is an area on the floor of the garage or basement that always seems to have white dust residue that reappears after cleaning, it is most likely efflorescence.
A diamond grinder can produce CSP from 3 to 4, which when preparing concrete for garage floor applications is found in the Goldilocks range. The smooth floors in your garage will be covered and protected, and will be able to withstand frequent use of cars, equipment, and foot traffic. If you have floor damage that is out of your price range to repair, tiles are also a cost-effective option for covering an unattractive surface.
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